Illini show they've risen from the dead in big win against Boilermakers

Wednesday

Dec 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 31, 2008 at 12:18 AM

So much for the wait-’til-next year talk that began before the season.

John Supinie

So much for the wait-’til-next year talk that began before the season.

The scene of last season's biggest meltdown and lowest of lows became the latest clue that Illinois returned from the dead. Instead of splintering like last winter, the Illini held together to upset No. 9 Purdue 71-67 in overtime Tuesday at Mackey Arena, knocking off the preseason favorite and sending a message in the Big Ten Conference opener that Illinois just might be as good as its record.

Illinois placed five players in double figures, lost only two turnovers after halftime and shut down Purdue sophomore Robbie Hummel, the league's preseason player of the year. Illinois defeated a top 10 team on the road for the first time since the Final Four season in 1989.

A team that frowned and pointed fingers last season is now pointed up. Illinois improved to 13-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten before playing at No. 23 Michigan Sunday (11 p.m., Big Ten Network). The celebration in the locker room was just the opposite from last year, when the Illini came apart in a loud tirade heard down the hall.

"It was the lowest of the lows,'' said Illini senior guard Chester Frazier. "It was like a dysfunctional family. This year, we love each other and play for each other. We play as a team, and we're more resilient.

"Losing isn't fun. When you're winning everybody is smiling. I would hope to keep everybody smiling, winning games and proving people wrong. It's a good start, coming out on the road and getting a win against a top tier team in the Big Ten. Now we see if we can go get Michigan and take it from there.''

Illinois dodged a loss when Purdue center JaJuan Johnson missed the second of two free throws with 1.9 seconds left to send the game into overtime. The Illini scored nine consecutive points in overtime, then held off the Boilermakers when guard Demetri McCamey hit six free throws in the final 28.7 seconds.

"This is a gutsy win in a tough place to play where they played well,'' said Illinois coach Bruce Weber. "They won't lose a lot of games. We weren't pleased when the schedule came out, but we said if we can find a way to win, the positive side is we'd be one up on everybody with an extra day of rest.

"(After the game), the kids put on the board, 1 of 18. They're flying a jet and looking ahead. Whoever put it up there, it's a good thing. It's a marathon. We have a long way to go.''

Actually, the note came from Dr. Jeff Kyrouac, but the message stuck.

Sophomore center Mike Tisdale led the Illini with 18 points. He also had six rebounds before fouling out in regulation. Sophomore guard Alex Legion, playing aggressively for the first time since becoming eligible four games ago following his transfer from Kentucky, scored 12 points. Forward Mike Davis had 12, guard Trent Meacham, 11, and McCamey 10. The Illini had 21 assists and only six turnovers.

"We stayed together and made some big plays down the stretch,'' Meacham said. "We thought we had it in regulation. He hit the free throw to go to overtime. We believed we can win.''

Frazier finished with just two points, but he had seven rebounds, seven assists, one block and just one turnover in 41 minutes played. Despite giving up 6 inches on Hummel, Frazier served as the lead defender on the Purdue sophomore, who entered as one of two Purdue players averaging 14.4 points per game. Hummel finished with seven points on 3-for-7 shooting.

Illini assistant Jerrance Howard thought putting a guard on Hummel would be effective. Perhaps Hummel's back pain also had something to do with it.

"We thought Robbie was the key,'' Weber said. "He makes plays, runs the break. They run things through him. Chester is our best defender. We made the decision, then even before the game I said to coach Howard, 'Should we do it?' We stuck with it.

"We took a gamble, to be honest.''

The Illini bench came up big in the overtime. Trailing 60-56 after Purdue scored on its first two possessions, reserve guard Calvin Brock hit a jumper and Legion followed with a jumper from the wing. Brock converted an alley-oop for a 62-60 lead with 2:30 left.

Davis' baseline jumper extended the lead to 64-60 on the following possession, and the lead grew to 65-60 when Legion made one free throw with 57.1 seconds left.

Purdue (11-3, 0-1) trimmed the lead to 65-64 before McCamey finished it off at the line. That's where the Boilers didn't help themselves, shooting just 15-for-27 from the line. Guard E'Twaun Moore had 17 points to lead Purdue. Johnson finished with his first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.

"Illinois played a great game,'' said Purdue coach Matt Painter. "Their ball control was the key to the game. To have 21 assists and only six turnovers is incredible.''

NOTES: Illinois hadn't defeated a top 10 team on the road since an 89-73 win at No. 8 Michigan on March 11, 1989. . .

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

Illinois report card

Front court A

Mike Tisdale put up big numbers and equalized the big effort by Purdue sophomore JaJuan Johnson, who might be considered Purdue's top NBA talent. Mike Davis made some clutch plays down the stretch, such as two blocked shots on one Purdue possession in overtime.

Back court A

Chester Frazier earned the game ball with a solid line and remarkable defense on Robbie Hummel despite giving up 6 inches. Meacham and McCamey were solid. McCamey bounced back from sitting the bench down the strethc to seal the win with six free throws.

Bench A

Alex Legion played aggressively and showed he might be ready to live up to some of those lofty expectations. Calvin Brock gave the Illini a boost in the closing minutes.

Overall A

OK, so it's one game in the Big Ten, but the Illini showed they're back from a dismal season a year ago. This is an entertaining team that's earning the attention of its fans. It might also be impossible to forget them when it comes to the top 25 rankings. Before the next vote, the Illini play at No. 23 Michigan.

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